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UCF Knights fall flat at UConn

 
Published Nov. 2, 2014

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — The week opened with UCF driving toward a coveted bid in an elite access bowl.

It closed with the Knights crushing that chance during a 37-29 loss to Connecticut on a cold, rainy afternoon in the northeast Saturday. It was the first regular-season conference loss since 2012 for UCF (5-3, 3-1 AAC) and the first league victory for UConn (2-6, 1-4) this season

"From penalties to ball security, we just really didn't play smart football out there in any phase," UCF coach George O'Leary said. "Basically, I thought Connecticut took advantage of our mistakes and that's what the game was. It was a game of mistakes … and you can't do the things we did out there, just foolish with the ball."

Instead of cruising through what looked to be an open road of AAC lightweights leading to a showdown with No. 21 East Carolina in December, the Knights lost control when they hit a speed bump with the name Deshon Foxx written all over it.

UCF's defense, ranked No. 10 among Division I-A schools entering the game, stumbled. It allowed 327 yards of offense, a season-high for the Huskies, who rank No. 122 out of 125 teams on offensive production. Foxx, who collected 102 rushing yards, broke past at least six tackles on a 68-yard touchdown run.

"I preached all week, I said, 'That team's record is not indicative of the team,' " O'Leary said.

Foxx's touchdown scamper was the first of three critical blows in the first half, which included a burned assignment and an offside penalty on a field goal that allowed UConn to take a 17-14 halftime lead.

The Knights had four turnovers, which marred a career-high day for running back Will Stanback (141 yards, 28 carries, two TDs). Justin Holman passed for 284 yards and two scores, but he also threw four interceptions, three to safety Andrew Adams.

J.J. Worton fell a yard short of tying a career-high receiving game, finishing with 178 yards on 11 receptions and a promising touchdown to give UCF the lead at 21-17 in the third quarter.

Penalties, however, halted any momentum. With UConn about to leave the field on a third and 20 at its 11, safety Brandon Alexander was flagged for pass interference. The Huskies would drive 79 yards and running back Ron Johnson powered in a 1-yard touchdown run to regain the lead for UConn at 24-21 in the third.

Temple 20, No. 21 E. Carolina 10: Kenny Harper rushed for two touchdowns and the host Owls forced five fumbles in their first win over a ranked opponent since 1998. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Pirates, whistled for 10 penalties for 105 yards. Playing much of the game in a rain storm, Temple played relatively mistake-free and took a 14-point lead in the first quarter. The Pirates were slowed by three fumbles by their running backs, two by Breon Allen that led to Temple scores.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.